A NEW suite of ‘McSchools’ where kids learn about all aspects of the fast food industry, could be established under the Abbott government’s new $500,000 corporate schools trial.

Inspired by the hi-tech IBM school in New York, Prime Minister Tony Abbott this month announced the Federal Government would provide half a million dollars for corporate-sponsored Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) in Australia, with the first to be established in the Victorian town of Geelong.

New learning ... the P-Tech High School in Brooklyn, New York. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

A spokeswoman for McDonalds told News Corp the high-profile fast food chain is yet to hold discussions with the Federal Government about the P-TECH proposal, but said the organisation was reviewing the announcement and conceded it was “a possibility” McDonalds would want to participate in the pilot.

The Federal Government has not ruled out allowing fast food companies to take part in its corporate schools trial, and the country’s most senior Education bureaucrat has told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra that some fast food companies have a proven track record of delivering education programs.

First hand visit ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott visits P-Tech High School in Brooklyn, New York City during his visit to the United States. Picture: News Corp AustraliaSource:News Corp Australia

Under questioning from Greens education spokeswoman Penny Wright, Education Department Secretary Lisa Paul told a Senate estimates committee that at least one fast food company in Australia already has a training college.

“One of the big fast food companies that we’ve been discussing has what it calls its own university — which in our system is probably a registered training organisation,” Ms Paul said.

“That does everything from logistics to management to Human Resources and actually offers qualifications,” she said.

It is understood Ms Paul was referring to McDonalds, which has established a Sydney campus for its global ‘Hamburger University’.

McSchools ... could be a reality with funding from McDonalds. Picture: APSource:AP

It is classified as a Registered Training Organisation by the government’s training website, and offers multiple qualifications including a Diploma of Management and a Certificate III in Retail Operations.

Parliamentary secretary for Education Scott Ryan confirmed the government was not prepared to rule out allowing McDonalds to participate in its PTECH trial.

He said McDonalds could have value teaching school students about logistics, the supply chain and other operating concerns of a large vertically integrated corporation.

His comments sparked an outcry with Greens education spokeswoman Penny Wright declaring “most parents would be horrified at the idea of McDonald’s teaching their children”.

And Labor’s education spokeswoman Kate Ellis said it was “ridiculous” to think McDonalds would have any influence over schools.

“The fact that the Government can’t even rule it out shows that they’re clueless, don’t know what they are talking about and are just making it up as they go along,” she said.